When a predator kills your entire breeding flock?
A predator destroyed my adult D'Uccle breeders last night. My efforts for 3 years to have adults to breed, gone. Every time I got close, I would lose the rooster. This time I lost the male before I could even breed him.
I have two young D'Uccle chicks, possibly full siblings, growing up in the garage. A pair.
But there is more.
I may have Marek's on my property. The babies have not come in contact with any other chickens.
I leave for college in the fall.
Do I give up breeding?
Do I keep this pair and work with them? I have a good relationship with their breeder and can get eggs for free or buy chicks.
Do I sell the young pair? I don't want to keep them if I can't breed them.
What would you do in my shoes?
Cyprus
A predator destroyed my adult D'Uccle breeders last night. My efforts for 3 years to have adults to breed, gone. Every time I got close, I would lose the rooster. This time I lost the male before I could even breed him.
I have two young D'Uccle chicks, possibly full siblings, growing up in the garage. A pair.
But there is more.
I may have Marek's on my property. The babies have not come in contact with any other chickens.
I leave for college in the fall.
Do I give up breeding?
Do I keep this pair and work with them? I have a good relationship with their breeder and can get eggs for free or buy chicks.
Do I sell the young pair? I don't want to keep them if I can't breed them.
What would you do in my shoes?
Cyprus